Is Suave Shampoo Good for Your Hair? | Yes It Is!

With today’s high costs, Suave shampoo’s affordable prices may be more attractive. Suave may be great for your wallet, but is Suave shampoo good for your hair?

Suave has had a reputation for containing sulfates, which can damage hair. Read on to learn if you should incorporate this shampoo into your hair routine.

What Is Suave Shampoo?

Suave shampoo is an affordable hair care product manufactured by Unilever. It comes in various formulations and scents.

Suave is known for being a bargain-priced brand that delivers a good value. Sold in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina, Suave shampoo comes in formulations for different hair types, from dry and damaged to oily.

The product also comes in various scents, some of them mimicking higher-priced shampoos. Suave shampoos include varieties such as:

• Moisturizing Almond and Shea Butter Shampoo
• Essentials Daily Clarifying Shampoo
• Strengthening Lemongrass & Ginger Shampoo
• Gentle Clean Shampoo with Pomegranate
• Silk Protein Infusion Sleek & Smooth Shampoo
• Damage Repair Shampoo
• Suave Sulfate-Free Shampoos 

History of Sauve Shampoo

The brand is well-known in multiple countries. First used as a name for a hair tonic and manufactured by the National Mineral Company in 1937, Suave was purchased by Helene Curtis Industries. 

The brand expanded to include shampoo, other hair products, lotions, soaps, and deodorant. Helene Curtis and its Suave brand were then purchased by Unilever in 1996. It grew to become a household name and a popular product around the world.

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Is Suave Good for Your Hair?

A look at Suave’s price, significantly lower than luxury shampoos, will tell you that Suave shampoo is great for your budget.

But is Suave shampoo good for your hair? Consider these Suave shampoo facts and the condition of your hair to decide if Suave shampoo is right for you.

Beneficial Ingredients

While the ingredients vary between formulas, many Suave shampoos incorporate beneficial ingredients such as castor oil, mango butter, and fragrance. Many of the ingredients offer deep moisturization, while the fragrances leave your hair smelling as good as it looks.

Some Suave Shampoos Contain Sulfates

Sulfates, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, and ammonium lauryl sulfate, are detergents found in some formulations of Suave shampoo. These wash away oil and provide thick, soapy lather.

Sulfates Can Be Drying

These surfactants are very effective degreasers. For some, sulfates are too effective, leaving them with hair that’s been stripped of its natural oils. This issue can cause hair to feel brittle and dry and the scalp to become irritated.

Suave Makes Sulfate-Free Shampoos

The good news is that Suave makes sulfate-free shampoos, such as its Sulfate-Free Cleansing Shampoo with Coconut Oil. Try sulfate-free shampoos from Suave if you have dry or damaged hair or are concerned about sulfates in your personal care products.

If you’re unsure whether the Suave shampoo you’re considering is sulfate-free, check the ingredient list for sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, or sodium laureth sulfate.

Suave Shampoo Formulations Included DMDM Hydantoin

Suave shampoo contains DMDM hydantoin, a preservative used to prolong the shelf life of shampoos and other beauty products. DMDM hydantoin releases formaldehyde, a known carcinogen.

It’s suggested that harm from DMDM hydantoin only occurs after long-term exposure, but the most risk-free choice is to avoid shampoos and other products that include this ingredient.

Suave Now DMDM Hydantoin-Free

Suave products manufactured before the end of 2021 may include DMDM hydantoin, but Unilever has announced that Suave is now DMDM hydantoin-free.

If you’re unsure whether Suave shampoo contains DMDM hydantoin, check the ingredient list or the date when manufactured.

Lawsuits and Suave Shampoos

At least one lawsuit has been filed over the ingredients of Suave shampoos and the results of using them. A nationwide class action lawsuit was filed in Illinois in 2022 by plaintiff Deanna Lewakowski.

She alleges that Unilever used DMDM hydantoin for more than a decade even though the ingredient could cause harm to customers.

Allegations of Damaged Hair

In the above-mentioned lawsuit, the plaintiff alleges that Suave shampoo caused scalp irritation for up to seven hours after she used the product. She then had dry, brittle hair that was prone to breakage.

When her hair began to fall out, she discontinued the use of the shampoo.

Since the suit filed is a class action suit, it indicates that numerous other Suave customers have shared the plaintiff’s bad experiences with Suave shampoo. It’s worth noting that a lawsuit represents only one side of a legal argument.

And, given the size of the company, it’s unsurprising that there’s at least one lawsuit against the company. Keep in mind that many lawsuits against big lawsuits are baseless. So don’t put too much stock in this allegation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Suave Shampoo

You may still have questions about whether Suave shampoo is good for your hair. The answers to these frequently asked questions may give you the information you need to make an informed decision.

Is Suave a good shampoo?

Suave has a niche in the shampoo market as an inexpensive shampoo that smells good and gets your hair clean. For millions of customers, Suave shampoo provides them with clean, healthy hair, but some have experienced irritation and dry hair from using Suave shampoo.

Since results vary from person to person, you may need to give the shampoo a try before determining whether Suave is a good shampoo.

Is Suave shampoo good for curly hair?

Suave shampoos that contain sulfates, such as ammonium lauryl sulfate, can be drying, so those with curly hair, which can be more fragile, should look for sulfate-free shampoos from Suave or other hair care brands. Sulfate-free shampoos are less damaging to curly hair.

Does Suave shampoo contain silicone?

Suave shampoos are silicone-free, and the brand’s Suave Naturals conditioners are silicone-free. Silicone can make hair look shiny and healthy in the short term and protects hair from heat damage, but with prolonged use, silicone weighs hair down.

Is Suave shampoo cruelty-free?

Suave shampoo has earned cruelty-free accreditation from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The brand is on PETA’s “Beauty without Bunnies” list.

Is Suave shampoo good value?

The best value is a shampoo that works well for your hair. Since Suave shampoo is one of the lower-priced shampoos on the market, giving Suave shampoo a try is inexpensive.

Those who love the scent of Suave and the results they get from using it see the shampoo as a good product that’s reasonably priced.

Unilever sells millions of bottles of Suave shampoo in the United States and abroad each year, so most get clean, shiny hair from using Suave. Otherwise, Suave sales wouldn’t be as bubbly as they are. If you find Suave shampoo works well for your hair, you’ve found a bargain.

So Is Suave Shampoo Good for Your Hair?

Everyone’s hair is different. For that reason, it’s hard to say whether one brand of shampoo is a good shampoo for everyone. Those who are concerned about sulfates should try Suave Naturals shampoos, which are sulfate-free.

All Suave shampoos are now DMDM hydantoin-free and silicone-free. Buying a bottle of Suave shampoo is inexpensive, so discarding a bottle of Suave is a small risk.

The shampoo’s popularity, low price, and moves away from ingredients that can be damaging make it worth trying. Suave shampoo could be good for your hair depending on the Suave formulation you choose and your hair type.